We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Emerging Trends in Smart Nanozymes for Microplastic/Nanoplastic Remediation: Mechanistic Insights and Food System Applications
AI summary Read the abstract
Nanozymes — nanomaterials with enzyme-like catalytic activity — show promise for degrading microplastics and nanoplastics in food systems through oxidative and hydrolytic mechanisms, including stimulus-responsive designs that activate under specific pH or light conditions. Developing efficient degradation tools is critical given that microplastic contamination has been documented throughout the food chain, from packaging to drinking water.
Microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in the food chain poses growing risks to food safety and human health, while conventional removal strategies remain limited in efficiency and sustainability. Nanozymes, nanomaterials with enzyme-like catalytic activities, have emerged as promising tools for plastic degradation and detoxification. This review summarizes emerging smart nanozyme strategies for microplastic and nanoplastic remediation with a focus on food system applications. We first outline key catalytic mechanisms, particularly oxidative and hydrolytic pathways relevant to polymer breakdown. Advances in intelligent nanozyme design, including stimulus-responsive systems activated by pH, light, or pollutants, are then discussed to highlight performance enhancement and selectivity control. Applications of nanozymes across the food chain, including food processing, packaging, and water purification, are critically reviewed. Finally, biosafety considerations, toxicity regulation, and translational challenges are evaluated. This review bridges mechanistic insights with practical deployment, providing guidance for developing nanozyme-enabled solutions to mitigate microplastic risks in food systems.
More Papers Like This
Environmental impact and mitigation of micro(nano)plastics pollution using green catalytic tools and green analytical methods
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the growing problem of microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment, then assessed enzyme-based strategies for breaking them down, finding that enzymes specifically targeting plastic polymer structures offer a promising, sustainable approach to degradation, especially when stabilized on nanomaterials to extend their activity.
Eco-friendly cleanup: the power of nano-bioremediation in microplastic management.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed nanoparticle-assisted bioremediation strategies for microplastic removal, showing how magnetic nanoparticles, photocatalytic metal oxides, and nano-bio hybrid systems can accelerate enzymatic plastic depolymerization, while identifying key challenges around nanoparticle aggregation, enzyme instability, and ecological safety that must be overcome for large-scale deployment.
Immobilized enzyme/microorganism complexes for degradation of microplastics: A review of recent advances, feasibility and future prospects
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined advances in immobilized enzyme and microorganism complexes for microplastic degradation, evaluating various nanomaterial supports and highlighting the feasibility and future prospects of enzymatic approaches to removing microplastics from the environment.
A concept for the biotechnological minimizing of emerging plastics, micro- and nano-plastics pollutants from the environment: A review.
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examined biotechnological strategies for remediating plastics, micro-, and nano-plastics from the environment, cataloguing microbial and enzymatic degradation approaches, discussing their mechanistic basis, and proposing an integrated biotechnology framework for minimizing plastic pollution across terrestrial and aquatic systems.
Eco-Nanozymology: A Catalytic Paradigm Integrating Energy, Environment, and Ecology
AI summary Read the abstract
This review paper explores how scientists are combining nanotechnology with enzyme-like materials (called "nanozymes") to tackle environmental and energy problems, including breaking down pollutants like microplastics and turning farm waste into useful products. While this research is mostly about environmental cleanup and green energy rather than direct human health treatments, it matters because reducing microplastics and pollution in our environment could ultimately mean less exposure to these harmful substances in our air, water, and food.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.